Bridgetender Sues To Get His Job Back

August 11, 1988

CHICAGO — Edward J. Przislicki, the Kinzie Street bridgetender involved in a freak accident in which a cab driver was killed last year, filed suit Wednesday to recover his job.

Przislicki`s suit, filed in Cook County Circuit Court, contends that the city`s decision to fire him last month was illegal because it occurred more than 50 days after his final discharge hearing before the city Personnel Board. According to the suit, Przislicki`s firing on July 12 came 55 days after his final hearing on May 19.

In firing Przislicki, 58, the city said he was drunk when the accident occurred on April 14, 1987.

Police reports indicate that Przislicki raised the single-leaf bridge when the rear wheels of the taxi were still on the bridge`s tip. This flipped the cab upside down with the driver inside.

According to police, the cab driver was killed moments later when Przislicki lowered the bridge onto the upside-down cab while part of the vehicle extended over the river.